We often read the verse in Exodus 12:30, "As there was no house in which there was no one dead," and maybe we don't fully grasp its implications. But the ancient rabbis, in their insightful interpretations, paint a truly harrowing picture.

The Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic commentary on the Book of Exodus, delves into the verse "it was at midnight" (Exodus 12:29), connecting it to a seemingly unrelated verse from Proverbs: "She perceives that her merchandise is good; [her lamp] does not extinguish [at night]" (Proverbs 31:18). Seems a bit strange, right? But stick with me.

The rabbis explore just how comprehensively this plague affected the Egyptians. They suggest that the death wasn't limited to just the firstborn sons of each household. Imagine, for a moment, the scale of it. The Shemot Rabbah goes on to explain that the plague targeted every firstborn, regardless of whether it was the man or woman's first child. In other words, every single firstborn child, male or female, was at risk. It was a complete and utter devastation, as it is written: “He smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first potency in the tents of Ham” (Psalms 78:51).

According to the Rabbis, even if the woman's first child wasn't the man's first, that child would still perish. Conversely, if the man's firstborn wasn't the woman's, that child was also at risk. It was a plague that permeated every layer of Egyptian society, leaving no family untouched.

But, as always, there's a glimmer of hope, a small crack in the darkness. The Shemot Rabbah makes an exception: Bitya, Pharaoh's daughter, was spared. Why her? Because, the text suggests, she had a "good advocate" – Moses himself. Remember when she found him as a baby in the Nile? The verse says, "She saw him, that he was good" (Exodus 2:2). This act of kindness, of seeing the inherent goodness in Moses, served as her protection during this terrible plague.

This connection is why Solomon, in Proverbs, says, "She perceives that her merchandise is good." It's a reference to Bitya's discernment, her ability to recognize the good in Moses, which ultimately saved her. And then, "She arises while it is still night" (Proverbs 31:15). Which night? "It was at midnight"— the night of the plague of the firstborn.

So, what do we take away from this? It’s more than just a story about a devastating plague. It's about the ripple effects of our actions, the power of compassion, and the idea that even in the darkest of times, goodness can be a shield. Bitya's story reminds us that even seemingly small acts of kindness can have profound and lasting consequences. Perhaps, even save a life.